Improvement in railroad-switches



' I 3 Sheets--Sheet1.

W. L. LAMBORN.

"Railroad-Switch. v N0.I69,274, Patented0ct.26-,l875.

TNEESES: IN ENT ATT HNEY:

",PEIERS. PHDTO-IJTNOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D. C.

3 Sheets--Sheet 2.

-W- L. LAMBURN. Railroad-Switch.

Patented Oct. 26, 1875.

IN ENT R ATTEIHEJEY:

W TNES W N. "-1535; PHOTO-LITNOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D C.

3 Sheets--Sheet 3.

W. L. LAM BUR-N.

Railroad-Switch.

Patented Oct. 26,1875.

ATTUHNEY.

N PETERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAPNE HINGTON, D C.

- UNI ED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM L. LAMBORN, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JOSEPH S. WILLIAMS, OF RIVERTON, NEW JERSEY;

IMPROVEMENT IN RAILROAD-SWITCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 169,274, dated October 26, 1875 application filed September 9, 1875.

' To all whom it may concern:

' keep the main track complete and ready for the train, and also to avoid the disadvantages of a frog-point, while I secure all the benefit usually derived from the frog.

My invention consists of a novel arrangement of three rails upon a firm plate, said rails being automatically adjustable by springs to the main track, and to the side track by the action of the flanges of the wheel, all of which will be fully explained in the following specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents my improvement, with the adjustable rails in place or at rest, keeping-the main track complete. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, shows the adj ustable rails in position, with rail F in line with the side track. Fig. 3, Sheet 3, shows the rail P in line with the side track.

The rails A and B belong to the main track, and the rails O and D to the side track, and the rails M and O are guard-rails. At the crossing is placed a large wrought-iron plate,

'E, which is firmly bedded to support the swing ing rails F, G, and P, and other devices now to be described. The rail]? is to be planed down to the proper taper, and a filling may be put between the rails F and G, when these three rails are to be bolted together so as to swing like one solid piece. The plate E is provided with ears for holding the springs H and their housing I, which are bolted thereon. The bolts K pass through the three rails F, G, and P, and also through the gum springs H and the eyes L, thus holding all these parts to the plate E, and yet allowing the rails to slide, as will be explained.

The operation is as follows: The springs H hold the rail G in line with the main track, except when a car or train passes on the side track. If a car or train on the side track approaches the crossing in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, the gage of the wheels presses the rail P over or swings it into line withthe side track, as seen in Fig. 3, Sheet 3, thus compressing the spring H, which again brings the rail G into line with the main track as soon as the side train has passed. When the train Having thus described my invention, Iv

claim 1. An unpivoted switch-rail, sliding at both ends, and alternately moved by the action of thewheels and springs, substantially as set forth.

2. The three adjustable rails F, G, and P,

'in combination with the springs H and plate E, for the purpose of keeping the main track complete and temporarily swinging the rails to complete the side track, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WM. L. LAMBORN.

Witnesses DANrEL BREED,

FRED. G. DIETERIOH. 

